Lyndel Lavern McKinney

1938 - 2025

Lyndel Lavern McKinney was born Dec. 25, 1938, in Polk County, to Orra Samuel and Hazel Lorene (Viles) McKinney. He passed away Friday, Nov. 14, 2025, at Colonial Springs Healthcare Buffalo.
Lyndel was born at home in Polk County, but when he was about age two, his parents moved to California to find work, where his father worked as yard foreman in the shipping yards during WWII. The family came back home to Polk County when Lyndel was about six, and he attended grade and high school at Halfway, up through his junior year. His senior year was spent at Bolivar High School.
Lyndel worked a short time in Kansas City, then married Nancy Ellen Condren. They moved to California, where Lyndel learned the roofing trade. They had three sons, Gregory, Wesley, and Jeffrey. They moved back to Missouri while the boys were still young. The couple divorced in March of 1971.
Lyndel later met and married Judith E. "Judy" Jones on Sept. 2, 1972. They bought a farm near Halfway soon after marriage and farmed with a small dairy operation for about 20 years, followed by raising some beef cattle. They enjoyed several vacations both across the U.S. and in several foreign countries.
Lyndel is survived by his wife, Judy; three sons, Gregory McKinney, Wesley and wife Monica McKinney, and Jeffrey and wife Tammy McKinney; a daughter, Cynthia Baroni; grandchildren, Shane and wife Taliea McKinney, Tawni and husband Bret Reed, Megan and husband Jordan Conway, Miles McKinney, Hayden McKinney, Molly McKinney, and Elizabeth Mast; two great-grandchildren, Emily and husband Jerron Pursifull, Kinadie Reed, and Otto Conway;
two great-great-grandchildren, Ridge Pursifull, and Rinley Pursifull; a brother, Myron and wife Janet McKinney; as well as several nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.
He was preceded in death by his parents and a sister, Sandra Cooper.
Lyndel's remains are buried with the rest of his family at Pleasant Hill Cemetery. At his request, no services were held, preferring to be remembered in life rather than in death. Online condolences may be made at greenlawnfuneralhome.com. Arrangements have been entrusted to Pitts Chapel. Bolivar.